Monday, August 20, 2012
Photo
Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown flips into the end zone over Indianapolis Colts defensive back Antoine Bethea for a touchdown in the first quarter of their preseason game Sunday night in Pittsburgh.
Associated Press
PITTSBURGH
Andrew Luck shook off a pair of early interceptions to put together three second-quarter scoring drives, giving the Indianapolis Colts a halftime lead before the Pittsburgh Steelers rallied for a 26-24 preseason victory Sunday night.
The top overall pick completed 16 of 25 passes for 175 yards and added a 1-yard touchdown run for the Colts (1-1), who held their own against a perennial Super Bowl contender.
Ben Roethlisberger passed for 81 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Steelers (1-1), who took an early 14-0 lead when Ike Taylor picked off Luck’s pass and took it 50 yards for a score.
The pick hardly rattled Luck, who led the Colts to scores on three of their next four drives. By the time he left, Indianapolis held a 17-14 at the break.
Rookie Danny Hrapmann kicked four second-half field goals for the Steelers, including the 22-yard winner with 23 seconds remaining.
Luck dazzled in his preseason debut last week against St. Louis, passing for a pair of touchdowns in a 38-3 romp. He expected a sterner test against the Steelers — who led the NFL in total defense for the fourth time in the last nine years in 2011 — and he got it.
Pittsburgh sent its first string defense — minus injured stars James Harrison and Casey Hampton — after Luck from the start. The Colts managed just one first down on their first three possessions, the third one ending with Luck underthrowing Reggie Wayne on a sideline pattern that Taylor stepped in front of and took down the sideline for a touchdown.
Things appeared to get worse for Luck on Indianapolis’ next play, when he was sacked by LaMarr Woodley.
No biggie. Showing the poise that made the Colts choose him to be the heir apparent to Peyton Manning, Luck led a 10-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Donald Brown’s 1-yard plunge.